The Long Road Home (Doonesbury Books (Andrews & McNeel)) 
Thousands of U.S. soldiers have suffered grievous wounds in Iraq, but only one of them is a Doonesbury character. This special collection chronicles seven months of cutting-edge cartooning, during which B.D.-and readers of the strip-got an up-close schooling in a kind of personal transformation no one seeks.
Deprived not only of leg but also his ubiquitous trademark helmet, B.D. survives first-response Baghdad triage, evacuation to Landstuhl's surgeon-rich environment, and visits by innumerable morale-boosting celebs, both red and blue in hue. He's awed in turn by morphine, take-no-guff nurses, his fellow amps, and his family, including the daughter who hand-delivers succor, one aspirin at a time.
Transferred stateside to Walter Reed's Ward 57, B.D. is inspired by the wisdom of physiatrists, warmed by the dedicated ministrations of real-life fellow-amp heroes like Jim the Milkshake Man, and dazzled by high-tech prostheses that cost more than luxury cars. He's annoyed by his own bouts with self-pity, by the bedside awkwardness of friends more comfortable regarding his stump from e-mail distance, and by Zonk's unwavering commitment to supplementing his care with organic meds.
As their journey continues, B.D. and Boopsie are cared for by Fisher House, a home-next-door-to-the-hospital for families whose lives revolve around therapy. B.D. finds himself painfully engaged in building his future, one sadistically difficult physical therapy session at a time. "To Lash, Helga, and the Marquis!" toast the band of differently limbed brethren, raising their glasses to their PT masters as they prepare for reentry into the ambulatory world.
From rebuilding tissue to rebuilding social skills to rebuilding lives, B.D's inspiring, insightful, and darkly humorous story confirms that it can take a village, or at least a ward, to raise a soldier when he's gone down. "Thank you for getting blown up," offers one of B.D.'s visiting players. Replies the coach, "Just doing my job."
Reviews
"Not your time,bro. Not today." With these words,B.D.'s life changes direction forever. In this book, Trudeau has brought home the high price paid by those who go to war, become injured,and must start their lives over again. Trudeau shows how important family , friends and other support are in travelling down that often difficult road to recovery. Who is to blame, is not the issue to these warriors returning to pick up their lives. He shows what an important function that Fisher House provides to both the veteran and the family.
This is probably the Trudeau book that can be read in the shortest time.It took me only 40 minutes and has only 93 pages. That is not important,though;as Trudeau gets the message through and is crystal clear.
This may be one of Trudeau's most important books;particularly since the proceeds from the book will go to benefit Fisher House.
A tip of the hat to Trudeau;and everyone who has been a Doonesbury fan should get behind Gary,buy the book;and help support Fisher House.
And also consider the fact that while I am sympathetic to those who have lost loved ones in the Iraq War, I do not think that we should give up. The 2,500 Americans who have died in Iraq does not equal up to the 12,000 who died in the Revolutionary War, the 620,000 Americans who died in the Civil War, the 116,000 Americans who died in World War I, the 400,000 who died in World War II, and the 60,000 who died in Vietnam. These men died for the freedom of America, even though they really didn't deserve to die so young. It is so shameful why people would want to use such a tragedy for political gain.
This should be required reading as an invitation to a deeper look at the mess we're in.